Camera



Sept 24, 1946- s. N. WEKEMAN 2,408,247

CAMERA Filed Dec. l5, 1945 8 Shee'LS-Shee l IIIIIII .Illll III *.ilw

ATTORNEYS Sept 24, 1946- s. N. WEKEMAN 2,408,247

CAMERA Filed Deo. 15, 1945 8 sheets-sheet 2 A TORNEYJ' Sept. 24, 1946. s. N. wEkl-:MAN 2,408,247

CAMERA Filed Deo. 15, 1945 s sheets-sheet s IN VEN TOR.

TTOR N EY@ i Sept. 24, 1946. s. N. WEKEMAN 2,408,247

CAMERA Filed Dec. l5, 1943 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 ATTORNEYI Sept. 24, 1946. s. N. WEKEMAN 2,408,247

' CAMERA Filed Dec. l5, 1943 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 /JMZ @Wg @L auf ATTORNEYQS Sept. 24, 1946. s. N. WEKEMAN CAMERA Filed Dec. l5, 1943 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 ATORNEYVS sept; 24, 1946 s. N. WEKEMAN 2,408,247

CAMERA Filed Dec. 15, 1945 s sheets-sheet '7 Sept. 24, 1946.

s. N. WEKEMAN 2,408,247

CAMERA I Filed Dec. l5, 1943 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 ATTORNEYKS1 Patented Sept. 24, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CAMERA Stephen N. Wekeman, Saddle River Township',y Bergen County, N. J., assign'cr to Sun Chemical Corporation, acorporation of Delaware Application December' 15, 1943, Seral'No. 514,311

4 Claims'. l

My invention relates to cameras.

My invention has particular reference to a camera which is constructed and arranged in such manner that the operative parts thereof may readily be disassembled when it becomes desirable to pack the camera for transportation and, conversely, the invention is signioant in that the separate camera parts may be' readily and quickly re-assembled when it becomes desirable to set up the camera for use.

My invention has further reference to a camera which is adapted either for reilecting or through projection, or for use as a contact printing device as will hereinafter be explained.

With a camera of the character stated or with other types of cameras, my inven-tion has reference to a novel copyholder and to a novel negative carrier Iboth being adapted for camera use and each being adapted for use as a vacuum printing frame.

Various other objects, advantages and features of my invention will become apparent from the following detailed description.

My invention resides in the camera', Vacuum printing frame, negative carrier, copyholder, features and arrangements of the character hereinafter described and claimed.

For an understanding of my invention and for an illustration of one of the forms thereof, r'ef'- erence is to be had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the camera of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective View showing the camera arranged yfor through projection;

Fig. 3 is a perspective View showing parts' of the camera in disassembled relation;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the camera modied to form a Contact printer;

Fig. 4a is an enlarged" vertical sectional View illustrative of a detailed feature of the invention;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged plan View showing oneend of the camera;

Fig. 6 is an elevational View, partly in section', showing the` camera as illustrated in Fig. 5;-

Fig. 7 is an elevational View showing a lamp support;

Fig'. 8r is a vertical sectional View, partly in' elevation, illustrating the horizontal camera s'upport and associated parts;

Fig. 9 isa-vertical sectional View, partly inelevation, taken on the line 9 9 oi Fig. 8;

Fig. l0 is an enlarged, Vertical sectionalview,

`partly in elevation, taken` on the line lil-It of Fig. 8 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figs. 11 and 12 are perspective Views illustrating features of the invention;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged elevational View showing one end of my novel camera;

Fig. 14 is a vertical sectional View, partly in elevation, taken on the line lli-I4 of Fig. 13 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. l5 is a perspective view showing parts of my novel camera in disassembled relation;

Fig. 16 is an enlarged elevational view, partly in section, showingv the camera as illustrated in Fig. 5;

Fig. 1'7 isv `av vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, taken on the ling I'l-ll of Fig. 16 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 18 is a transverse' sectional View, partly inv elevation, illustrating a detailed feature of the invention; and

Fig. 19 is a side elevational view of the arrangement shown in Fig. 18.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2, 3; 8 and 9, I have shown a horizontal tubular supporting structure i formed from separablel sections la and lb having approximately the same length. The end of the section la toward the left is closed by a plate 2 having an inwardly extending flange suitably secured to said section la, as by the screws 3. The plate 2 comprises a central tubular section 2a utilizable as hereinafter described. The end of the tubular section lb toward the right is closed in similar manner by a plate 2 which differs from the rst named plate 2- merely in that it does f not include a' tubular section 2a.

Formed as an integral part of the plate 2 is a horizontal tubular member 4 which comprises a vertical tubular section 4a; A member 5 freely mounted in the tubular member 4 is provided with a central radially extending passage 5a adapted to be aiined with the passage formed by said tuibular section 4a. A latching member 6 providedv with a head 6a adapted to enter the passage 5a is provided withv an operatingl nnger piece'l. As shown in Fig. 9, the latching member Gis biased in a downwarddirection by a helical spring 8 disposed around the shank thereof.

At each side of the tubular member d, the member 5 comprises an extending section 5a, to each of which is pivoted the bifuroated end of a leg or supporting member 9 for the camera herein disclosed, the upper end of each leg 9 comprising flattened surfacesa cooperative with the adjacent end surface of' the tubular member' 4; Y

The aforesaid plate 2 of the tubular section Ib has formed integrally therewith a supporting arrangement for the other set of legs 9. This arrangement is a duplicate of that just described and, hence, corresponding reference characters have been applied to the respective duplicate parts.

As shown particularly in Fig. 8, the tubular sece tion la, at the end thereof toward the right, has a sleeve I9 projecting therefrom, this sleeve [Il being suitably secured to the interior surface of said tubular section Ia. A disk ll is doweled or otherwise suitably secured to the sleeve I9 interiorly and transversely thereof, this disk Il, in conjunction with the hereinbefore described tubular section 2a of the plate 2, forming bearings for a shaft I2 having an operating wheel i3 secured to one end thereof. The other end of the shaft I2 comprises a threaded section I2a coactl able with a disk I4 transversely secured interiorly of the aforesaid tubular section Ib, said disk I4 being fixed in position in suitable manner, for example, as hereinbefore described with respect to the disk I I. Projecting outwardly from the sleevel Each of the tubular sections la, il) has a rack member i5 secured exteriorly thereto, these rack members, when said tubular sections la, Ih are related to each other as shown in Fig. 8, being in alinement and utilizable as hereinafter described. In accordance with the invention and referring to Figs. 1-4 inclusive, 8, 10, 13 and 14, the tubular section Ia has freely disposed thereon a collar C which comprises spaced sections Ita forming a passage which receives the aforesaid rack member I5. The collar sections Ilia rotatably support a shaft II which has secured thereto the hub of a gear wheel IB disposed in meshing relation with respect to said rack member I5. At its end opposite the gear wheel I9, the shaft II carries an operating hand Wheel I9. The shank of a locking screw 29 is disposed in threaded relation with respect to one of the collar sections i3d and also with respect to members leb formed either integrally with or secured to said last named collar section Ia. The end of the screw 23 is adapted to coact with the rack I5 as hereinafter described.

The collar C, at opposite diametric sides, has the respective spring clips 2l suitably secured thereto, these clips 2| being utilizable as hereinafter described.

The collar C comprises a flat upper face Ic and the upper collar section comprises a vertical passage 16d which is interiorly threaded. This central passage IId is flanked by parallel nonthreaded passages Ie formed in said upper collar section.

Adapted for detachable association with said flat face [3c of the collar C is a frame F which comprises a lower horizontal wall 22 adapted to rest on said flat collar face Ic. Midway between its ends, the wall 22 comprises a vertical passage having a bushing 23 disposed therein. Extend ing through the bushing 23 is the shank of a screw 24 which is adapted to be threaded into the aforesaid passage IBd in order to retain the frame F on the collar C, said screw shank carrying an operating hand wheel 25. The wall 22 comprises passages disposed on opposite respective sides of the passage for the screw 24, these passages receiving the respective headed pins 2li which, when said frame F is seated on the collar C are disposed in the respective passages |96.

The aforesaid frame F comprises lower and upper rear walls 21 and 28, Fig. 14, side walls 29, Fig. 13, a top wall and an intermediate wall 3l disposed parallel with respect to and between the Walls 22 and 30. Allo-f these walls, with the exception of the wall 28, are secured together in frame-forming relation in any suitable manner, for example, by screws as shown.

The frame F further comprises front walls 32 and 33, Fig. 13, together with the respective transverse walls 32a, 33a associated therewith, these walls together with the adjacent walls forming the respective chambers 32h, 33h. The chamber 32o contains a suitable gauge 32o utilizable for indicating air pressure whereas the chamber 33h contains the actuating mechanism of a pair of electrical switches 32d.

In accordance with the invention, the aforesaid frame F is adapted to detachably support a negative carrier N which, in the form of the invention herein shown, is formed from two oblong sections 34 and 35 pivoted together by hinges 34e and maintained in closed relation by latches 35e. The carrier sections 34 and 35 are formed with the respective facing channels 34a and 35a which extend continuously throughout the length of the four sides of the respective sections 34 and 35. Seated in the channel 35a and secured to the carrier section 35 by screws, or equivalent, is a plate 35 formed from suitable transparent material such as glass or Lucite. rPhe transparent plate 39 is formed with a four-sided channel 33a having an endless four-sided rubber ring 31 seated therein and cemented or otherwise suitably secured to the surfaces defining said channel 36a.

The four sides of the carrier section 35 are channeled as indicated at 351), Fig. 14, to thereby form a continuous endless channel adapted to receive a sheet 38, Fig. 15, formed from suitable stiff material which is opaque to light rays.

,Seated in the channel 34a of the carrier section 34 for movement therein is a plate 39 formed from suitable material such as glass or Vinylite. In accordance with a feature of the invention, the surface of the plate 39 facing the plate 39 is l l, frosted or otherwise suitably treated so that said plate 39 may be used for focusing purposes in the manner hereinafter described.

As shown in Fig. 14, the plate 39 is drilled for the reception of a screw 40 threaded into and securing a guide member 4I to said plate 39. The guide member 4I is freely slidable in 'a passage 34b formed in the section 34 and the flanged end of said guide member 4| is freely movable in a recess 34e provided therefor in said section 34. A spring 42 helically disposed around the guide member 4I coacts with the adjacent surfaces of the section 34 and the plate 39. As indicated in Figs. 14 and 15, a plurality of biasing arrangements which are duplicates of the one just described are spaced around the periphery of the plate 39, the springs 42 of such arrangements biasing said plate 39 in a direction from left to right, Fig. 14.

Opposite vertical sides of the carrier section 34 have the respective handles 43 secured thereto in suitable manner and each of the vertical sides last named has a pair of outwardly projecting spaced plates 44 suitably secured thereto, as by screws 45, each plate 44 having a key-hole slot 44a. When the carrier sections 34 and 35 are closed and latched, this assembly is disposed and secured in the fra-me F by registering the respective large end of the slots 44a with the heads of members 46 secured to the adjacent frame side walls 29 in the same spaced relation as the spacing of the slots 44a. Thereupon, the assembly is moved inwardly and then downwardly to slight extent. ln this position, the heads of the respective members 46 are opposite the small ends of the slots 44a and, as a result, the described assembly is detachably retained in its operative position.

The aforesaid carrier section 34 comprises a channel 34d which extends continuously throughout the length of the four sides of said section 34. At the top of the carrier section 34, a horizontal strip 4l is secured thereto by screws 48, or equivalent, Figs. 13 and 14. The strip extends downwardly beyond the adjacent horizontal section of the channel 34d to form a pocket in which the upper side of a frame 49 is detachably received. This frame 49 is a four-sided open structure having configuration corresponding with that of the channel 34d and adapted to be received thereby. rEhe lower horizontal section of said frame 49 is engaged by a pair of latching members 59 rotatably secured to the bottom of the section 34. It will be understood that, when the members 5i! are in the position shown in Fig. 13, the frame 49 is secured in its intended position. However, ,f

when said members 59 are moved downwardly to suicient extent, the frame 49 may be detached from the section 34 in an obvious manner.

Secured in suitable manner to the frame 49 are the members 5I, four in all, which are disposed closely adjacent the respective inner surfaces of the members forming the four sides of said frame 49. The members 5I anchor in position the end of a collapsible focusing hood 52 of a character well known in the art, said hood 52 being retained in closed position by a latch 53 pivoted to said frame 49.

Referring to Figs. 13 and 14, the lower section of the frame 49 is shown as carrying a flexible tube 54 having extending therefrom an extensible nozzle 55 which extends through the aforesaid plate 39 and communicates with the space between said plate 39 and the adjacent plate 35.

Slidable on the tubular structure I is a second collar CI which, with the exception of the clips 2 I, is a duplicate of thecollar C and has similar operating and locking mechanism associated therewith. Accordingly, corresponding reference characters have been applied to the respective duplicate parts of the collars C and CI.

Adapted for detachable association with the flat upper face I6c of the collar CI is a frame FI which comprises a lower horizontal member 56 adapted to rest on said fiat collar face I6c. The frame FI is retained detachably on the collar CI by a screw-and-pin arrangement which is a duplicate of that described for holding the frame F on the collar C. Accordingly, corresponding reference characters have been applied to the respective duplicate parts of such screw-and-pin arrangements.

The frame FI comprises vertical standards 51, 5l which are connected by a horizontal member 58 disposed parallel with respect to the aforesaid member 56. Above the member 59, the standards 5l, 57 have a plate 59 secured thereto, this plate dening an aperture 59a.

The plate 59 comprises a seat 59D, Fig. 4a, adapted to receive a lens plate 60 to which a suitable objective lens 6I is secured. The lower sur- Y of the plate 59.

face of the lens plate 69 is seated in a pocket formed by a strip 62 suitably secured to the front surface of the plate 59 which also carries a pivoted latch 63 coactable with the upper front surface of the lens plate 6 I.

The plate 59 further comprises a seat 59h, Fig. 4a, adapted to receive a plate 64 having an aperture 64a alined with the aforesaid aperture 59a The upper surface of the plate 64 is seated in a pocket formed by a strip 65 suitably secured to the rear surface of the plate 59 which also carries a pair of pivoted latches 66 coactable with the lower rear surface of said plate 64.

Suitably secured to the rear surface of the plate 64 is one end of a bellows 61 as known in the camera art. The other end of the bellows 61 is suitably secured to the aperture-defining surfaces of the hereinbefore described wall 28 of the frame F. This wall 28 is detachably related to the frame F and, to this end, a strip 69 may be suitably secured to the frame wall 39, Fig. 14, whereby there is formed a pocket for the reception of the upper end of said wall 28 which, as shown in Fig. 14, is detachably secured in the position shown by a pair of latch members 69 pivoted to the aforesaid wall 28 of said frame F.

The bellows Si, then, is secured detachably to the frames F and As known in the art, lazy J tongs 'lll may be secured to the plate 64 and the wall 2S at opposite respective sides of the bellows 6l.

Secured in fixed position and in suitable manner to that end of the tubular structure I toward k the right, l, 2 3, is a bracket C2 having a horizontal upper face 16a, said bracket CI carrying pair of the clips 2 I. Adapted for detachable association with said face i60. of the bracket C2 is the lower horizontal wall 'il of a copyholder frame FZ. The frame F2 is retained detachably on bracket CZ by a screw-and-pin arrangement which is a duplicate of those described for holding the frames F and FI on the respective collars C and CI. Accordingly, corresponding reference characters have been applied to the respective duplicate parts of said screwand-pin arrangements.

The aforesaid frame F2 comprises, in addition te the lower wall "l1, vertical side walls i8, 'I8

disposed in parallel relation and spanned by a horizontal top wall i9. all of the walls of said frame FZ being secured together in frame-forming relation in any suitable manner. The interior surface of each wall of the frame F2 has a member 99 suitably secured thereto, as by the screws 8i. These members 89 are disposed in the same vertical plane and form a four-sided open frame. Disposed immediately adjacent this frame formed by the members 39 is a transparent plate S2 formed from suitable material such as glass or Lucite. As indicated at the top of Fig. .1.7. the plate 82 is threaded for the reception of a screw S3 threaded into and securing a guide member 84 into said plate S2. The guide member 84 is freely slidable in a passage 95D formed in the adjacent member 89 and the flanged end of said guide member 84 is freely movable in a recess 99o provided therefor in said last named member A spring helically disposed around the guide member 84 coacts with the adjacent surfaces of the plate i2 and said last named member Sil. As indicated in Fig. 17, a plurality of biasing arrangements which are duplicates of the one just described are spaced around the periphery of the plate 82, the springs l? 55 of such arrangements biasing said plate 82 from right to left, Fig. 17.

The lower surface of the frame wall 'Il' has a plurality of spaced members 89 suitably secured thereto, as by screws 3l'. The members 86 project beyond the frame wall from right to left, Fig. 17, and each member 3G is provided with a vertical passage adapted to receive the depending section lita of a pin 88. The pins 88 are suitably secured to the lower wall 89 of a copyholder frame cooperative with the copyholder frame F2, said frame F3, in addition, comprising vertical side walls 9i?, 9d joined by a horizontal top Wall 9|.

The four walls of the frame F3 are channeled as indicated at 9|b, Fig. l'l, to thereby form a continuous endless channel adapted to receive a plate t2 formed from suitable transparent Inaterial such as glass or Lucite, said plate 92 being suitably secured in position, as by screws 93 threaded therethrough and into the adjacent frame sections. The transparent plate 92 is formed with a channel 92a having an endless four-sided rubber ring 94 seated therein and cemented or otherwise suitably secured to the surfaces defining said channel 92a.

Carried by the top wall 19 of the frame F2 are a pair of spaced latches 95 which are engageable with the respective fixed members 96 upstanding from the top wall 9| of the frame F3, Fig. 5. In this manner, said frame F3 is held positively in the position shown in Fig. 17.

As shown in Fig. 17, the plate 82 is provided with a passage through which a nipple 91 extends, this nipple having secured thereto a flexible tube 93 utilizable as hereinafter described.

The bracket C2, hei einbefore referred to, come prises oppositely extending supports |90, Figs. 5 and 6, for pivotal attachment thereto of the respective arms lill adapted to move freely in a horizontal direction. Freely pivoted to each arm |9| is a second arm |92 likewise movable in a horizontal direction. Each arm IBI, at its free end, carries a vertical pin |93 which supports a vertical housing |94 in which a suitable electric lamp is disposed.

Referring to Figs. 5, 6, 18 and 19, each leg 9 at the right, Fig. l, has secured thereto a lug |05 to which an arm lilt is pivoted, each arm comprising an angular slot Hita adjacent the free end thereof. The tubular section |17, on its eX- terior surface, comprises lugs |01 spaced equidistantly from the longitudinal vertical plane thereof, each of these lugs being threaded for the reception of a screw i555. With the screws |08 retracted to some extent, each arm I t9 may be moved in such manner that the slot Nia thereof is engaged with the adjacent screw |98 whereupon, by tightening both screws, the arms |06 are anchored in position to thereby brace the associated legs 9.

The flexible tubes 5ft and 98 hereinbefore described comrnunicate with a passage I I0, Fig. 13, formed in a housing l having a valve H2 associated therewith. Communicating with the passage H is a fiexible 'tube H3 which leads to a suitable vacuum pump, not shown, operated by a motor, not shown, which may be energized by closing one of the switches 32d, Fig. 13. The gauge 32o, hereinbefore described, also communicates with the passage HU.

In the open position of the valve H2, the tube 54 is connected with the vacuum pump. In the open position of another valve H2a, the tube 98 is connected to said vacuum pump.

8 VIn order to place a copy sheet in the copyholder frames F2 and F3, the latches 95 are released so that the frame F3 may be removed from the members 86. Thereupon, the copy sheet is 5 disposed in operative position and the frame F3 re-associated with the frame F2, the springs 85 thereafter biasing the plate 82 from right to left, Fig. i7, to thereby positively hold said copy sheet in engagement with the plate 92. After the valve iii/2d has .been opened to connect the vacuum pump to the chamber in which the copy sheet is disposed and also after the valve H2 has been opened to connect said vacuum pump to the empty chamber which, subsequently, is to receive the light-sensitive sheet thereby effecting intimate engagement of the copy sheet with the adjacent face of the plate 92 and similar engagement of the frosted surface of the plate 39 with the plate 35, the operator proceeds with the focusing operation in the following manner.

The camera is shown in Fig. l as so arranged that the lamps in the respective housings |04 illuminate the copy sheet in the copyholder frames when one of the switches 32d, Fig. 13, is actuated, the other switch 32d being utilized for operating the motor for the hereinbefore described vacuum pump. Accordingly, with said lamps thus energized, the operator releases the latch 53 and moves the hood 52 to its open position. As a result, provided that the opaque sheet 33 is in open position as shown in Fig. 2, the image of the copy sheet, as produced by the objective lens 6|, after the shutter mechanism thereof is actuated, becomes Visible on the frosted surface of the plate 39. By adjustment of the hand wheels |9 for the respective carriages C and Ci, proper size and focus of the projected image is obtained. rf'hereupon, the hood 52 is moved to its closed position and the respective hand wheels for the carriages C and Cl are actuated to positively secure the latter in the respective positions thereof to which they were adjusted as just described.

The next operation involves disposition of a sheet of sensitized material in the negative carrier N. Assuming that the end of the camera toward the left, Fig. Ll, is in a dark room, the aforesaid opaque sheet 38 is left in its open position and the handles 43 are grasped whereupon said negative carrier N is elevated slightly and then removed from the frame F. At this time, the latches 35e are released and the carrier sections 34, 35 opened so that the sheet of sensitized material may be disposed in operative position. Thereupon, the carrier sections are closed and latched, the springs 42 thereafter biasing the plate 39 from left to right, Fig. 14, to positively hold said sheet of sensitized material in engagement with the plate 35. Finally, the latched carrier sections comprising the negative carrier N are returned to operative position with the frame F as shown in Fig. 14. The Valves |2 and ita being open to exhaust air from the chamber for the copy sheet and the chamber for the lightsensitive sheet and the lamps in the respective hoods Elfi remaining energized, the shutter mechanism of the objective lens 6l is actuated to produce the desired exposure on said light-sensitive sheet.

Should the end of the camera toward the left, Fig, l, not be in a dark room, the negative car rier N may be removed from the frame F as described, transported to a dark room and there have a light-sensitive sheet associated therewith. 75 Thereupon, the opaque sheet 3S may be moved to its inward position wherein it obstructs the pas'- sage of light to said light-sensitive sheet through the transparent plate 3S. Thereafter, the loaded negative carrier N is returned to and associated with the camera. Just before the exposure is to be made, the opaque sheet 3S is moved to open position to thereby open the light path to the light-sensitive sheet by way of the objective lens ii i.

Referring to Fig. 2, I have shown the camera of my invention as adapted for through pro- `iection rather than reflecting projection as illusu trated in Fig. 1. The plates Si?. and 22 of the copyholder are formed from transparent material and, therefore, when the copy sheet is a transparency as known in the art or when it is a positive, said last named copy sheet, preferably surrounded by a suitable mask, may be associated with the copyholder as described and hoods iM swung to the rear position shown in Fig, 2 in order to project the image by through projection. With respect to this, it will be understood that focusing, loading of the negative carn rier, etc. are performed in the same manner as hereinbefore described in connection with Fig. 1.

It is a feature of my invention that the camera may be modified to render it susceptible of use as a vacuum printing frame. Thus, by reference to Fig. 4, it will be noted that the bellows 6l, the lazy tongs 19 and the lens plate 59 have been removed from the camera. (The manner of effecting such removal will be hereinafter described.)

When this has been done, the negative carrier N may be removed and two sheets disposed therein-a light-sensitive sheet and a copy sheet, either a positive or negative, from which a contact print is to be made, the light-sensitive sheet being disposed in contact with the plate 39 and the copy sheet in engagement with the plate 3G. Then, after the negative carrier N has been reassociated with the frame F, the chamber containing said sheets should be subjected to the Vacuum effect by opening the valve H2a. As shown in Fig. a reflector H5 carrying a highpowered electric lamp IIS is suspended on the aforesaid plate 59 so that said lamp H6 faces the frame F. When this lampi Hit is energized, the two sheets last referred to are properly illuminated to thereby produce an image on the lightsensitive sheet by a contact printing operation.

Should a larger print he desired than is ob-tainable with the negative carrier N, the two sheets as described above may be disposed between the plates 82 and 92 of the copyholder and subjected to a vacuum effect by opening the valve |12, Then, with the reflector l l5 and lamp l I5 facing the opposite way from that shown in Fig. 4 but supported on the plate 59, the contact printing operation may be effected as will be understood. If desired, the illuminating action of the lamp I I6 may be supplemented by the similar action of the lamps in the respective hoods |94.

As stated above, the frosted surface of the plate 39 is in engagement with the plate 36 during the focusing operation. Subsequently, when the light-sensitive sheet is disposed between the plates 36 and 39, the active or coated side thereof engages the ,plate 35. The focal plane, then, both for focusing and exposure, coincides with the surface of the plate which faces the plate 39. The plate 39 is biased toward the plate 36 and, therefore, besides serving in the focusing operation as described above, said plate 39 serves as a compensating back for light-sensitive sheets having different thicknesses. The foregoing are important features of the invention.

Another important feature of the invention relates to the copyholder construction. As stated, both of the plates 82 and 92 are transparent and the vacuum effect therebetween is maintained for either reflecting or through projection. Further, such vacuum effect is maintained without using a rubber blanket and, as known in the art, this blanket must be removed when the copyholder is to be used for through projection.

A feature of distinct importance relative to the invention resides in the fact that my novel camera of the knock-down type. However, there are other features that relate to cameras generally and, therefore, except as limited in the appended claims, the invention is not to be restricted to a camera of the knock-down type.

As regards this type of camera, it is important that the following be noted:

The frame F3 may be detached from the frame F2 when the latches 95, Fig. 5, are released. The frame F2 may be removed from the collar C2 when the screw 25 is retracted, Fig. 3. The lamp hoods Ulli may readily =be detached from the respective arms |92.

Upon release of the latch 63, Fig. 2, the lens plate @e may be removed from the plate 59. Further, the latches 55, Fig. 4a, and the latches 69, Fig. i4, may be released to permit removal of the plate M and wall 28 from plate 59 and frame F, respectively. Completion of this operation effects removal of the hood assembly from its operative position. Thereupon, the screw 25, Fig. 3, may be operated to remove the frame Fi from the collar Cl.

The negative carrier N is removable from the frame F in the manner hereinbefore described and, upon release of the screw 25, Fig. 14, said frame F may be removed from the collar C.

Thereafter, the shaft I2, Fig. 8, may be rotated to release the section l2a thereof from the disk it. When this is done, the structure i separates into its two sections lo, ib as shown in Fig, 3.

The sections la and ib, then, together with the parts permanently associated therewith may be arranged as shown in Figs. 11 and 12. Each of the collars C and C2 carries a pair of the clips 2i and these are utilized, when the legs 9 are folded as shown in Figs. 11 and 12, to hold said legs in intended collapsed position. As will be understood, each pair of legs 9 may be folded after the associated latching member 6 is retracted.

Obviously, the other disassembled parts may be readily packed, along with the assemblies of Figs. 1l and 12, in one or more containers and transported to a desired destination where the camera may be quickly and easily reassembled for operative use. The camera of my invention, then, is well adapted for use by the military services. However, its use is not to be so restricted.

While the invention has been described with respect to a certain particular preferred example which gives satisfactory results, it will be understood by those skilled in the art after understanding the invention, that various changes and modications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and it is intended therefore in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications.

What `is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a device of the character described, a

tubular support, pivo-ted legs at each end of said support, means forming a detachable connection ybetween the ends of said support, said means comprising end sections of said support which engage each other in telescopic relation, means for alining said end sections, and mechanism for releasably retaining said end sections in said relation, said mechanism comprising a rotatable retaining member extending through said tubular support and terminating exteriorly of one end thereof in an actuating wheel.

2. In a device of the character described, a support, means for holding said supporlt in a horizontal position, a collar carried by said support and having a fiat upper face, a frame seated on said collar face, means for detachab-ly securing said frame to the iiat upper face of said co1- lar, said collar being the sole support for said frame which extends substantially equal distances 'beyond the respective sides of said support, said last named means comprising a screw extending through the lower section of said frame and being threaded into said collar, `and an alining pin associated with said frame section and said collar.

3. In a device of the character described, a tubular support, pivoted legs at each end of said support, said tubular support comprising sections adapted to engage each other in telescopic relation, and mechanism for drawing said sec- :tions toward each other and for retaining them in said relation, said mechanism being operative to release said sections so that each of the latter together with its pivoted legs becomes a separate unit.

4. In a device of the character described, a

tubular support, pivoted legs at each end of saidr support, said tubular support comprising sections adapted to engage each other in telescopic relation, and mechanism for retaining said sections in said relation, said mechanism comprising a nut xed in one o1" said sections and a shaft rotatable in the other section, said shaft comprising a threaded section coactable with said nut.

STEPHEN N. WEKEMAN. 

